An app to keep tabs on energy, water usage

SINGAPORE - A mobile app launched yesterday can be used to keep tabs on home energy and water consumption.

About 310,000 residents will be the first to try out the app, which lets them check their estimated utility usage and find out which appliances are consuming the most energy and water.

It also offers energy- and water-saving tips.

Users may set a savings target for future bills, look at their utility consumption over the past six months and compare this with their neighbours'. They can view their bill and payment history, and update their mailing addresses.

The test - from now to April - is a joint pilot project between SP Services, a subsidiary of Singapore Power (SP), the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and national water agency PUB.

SP Services said it will look at the results from the pilot before extending the app to all users with an online SP utility account. For the pilot, only residents who have registered for such an account as of Sept 15 last year are eligible.

The SP website shows the average electricity use for last October ranged from 131 kilowatt hour (kwH) for a one-room HDB flat to 437 kwH for a five-room one.

The average utility bill for households with gas went from about $70 for a one-room flat to about $180 for a five-room flat.

"Saving energy is a good way to help ensure a sustainable future. The new app will enable home- owners to analyse their use of electricity and gas," said Mr Yeo Yek Seng, acting chief executive of EMA.

"It will empower them to make an informed decision on efficient use of energy, lower their utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint."

The app is available for download from the iTunes or Google Play Store.

Those with questions about the pilot project can e-mail csonline@singaporepower.com.sg or call the SP Services' hotline on 1800-738-2000.

There is also a video on SP Services' website:

www.singaporepower.com.sg/SPServicesMobile.

kcarolyn@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 8, 2015. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.